what are advantages to shopping at LEGO stores?

[atmail35]

I wish I could use a piece of tape to help secure the pieces in the top of the lid. :)

I visited the store at the Somerset Collection in Michigan once, and the associate who cashed me out was more than happy to tape down the lid of my cup! As long as your cup isn't overflowing too much, it shouldn't be a problem so long as you ask nicely.

Yes, I've driven through Detroit several times to get to this store lol.

Actually when I go the associate always has to tape the lid to the cup, and you are right they are happy to do it. What I was referring to actually was the empty space in the "stud" of the lid...if you could fill that and then tape it across, you could fill that space a little easier. I tend to try and fit some bricks together and stick it in there and quickly flip it on the cup.

[meyerc13]

Yes, it would be nice if you could tape parts in the lid... I'm sure we've all tried to fill it with 1x1 round plates at least once, only to have them go flying. A couple of times I've been luck enough to really wedge some pieces in there just right so that they stay in the spot without overly deforming the lid, but it's tough.

[Luciant]

Just got back from Birmingham and hit up their PAB wall... I wasn't overly impressed with the selection, but I was able to snag some nice 2x2 red flat slabs, some 2x1 white grates, lots of foliage and flower bases and red flowers. Even had some nice 1x1 clear slopes (like you get in the Builder Academy for the minibuilds). overall with the number of small pieces, Easily scored over 1000 pieces included a few larger plates.

They had some grab bags, but I thought they were just random pieces from the current PAB Wall... gonna have to call my buddy to go back to the store and grab a few for me ;)

[vynsane]

Even had some nice 1x1 clear slopes (like you get in the Builder Academy for the minibuilds).

Do you mean the 1x1 "cheese slopes"? Wow! I've not seen those at the PaB wall. I would love to see some of the more desirable items like that or the curved slopes show up by me!

[peanut]

They had some grab bags, but I thought they were just random pieces from the current PAB Wall... gonna have to call my buddy to go back to the store and grab a few for me ;)

I saw the grab bags out here too and scooped up several on Friday night. They averaged about 30 (yes thirty) complete figs per bag with basic BaM accessories plus your standard mix of bricks and several Hero Factory parts, sprinkling of purple elements, some of those huge power miner wheels, canopies, printed tiles and slopes, trans orange flame, and misc. cheese wedges, way too many yellow mugs, and foliage.

ALL the figs were City theme with only 4 variations.
It looked like BaM overstock dumping grounds! Some of the bags had nice little treats - Kit Fisto w/lightsaber, battle droid, HP key chain, SW Helmets, and the headpiece to the squid warrior in 8061.

[Luciant]

Here are some pictures of what I was able to get. Decent selection, wasn't overly impressed but happy with what I got. =)

Cup Pieces.jpg

Cup01.jpg

Cup02.jpg

Cup03.jpg

[peanut]

Nice haul! Here is a small sample from recent grab bags:

[Luciant]

Hmm.... I think I must call my buddy in Birmingham and have him go snag the 3 bags I saw there =)

The bags I saw I swear were like $15 bags though... Maybe I'll give the store a call and ask them what kind fun stuff they have in the bags and what the price point is to make sure I didn't just have PaB on the brain.

[atmail35]

peanut, I'm impressed that your grab bags had so many figs! AND a keychain...you are lucky!

I have to get to my store and see if they have finally put some out.

[bigdaddy]

Even had some nice 1x1 clear slopes (like you get in the Builder Academy for the minibuilds).

Do you mean the 1x1 "cheese slopes"? Wow! I've not seen those at the PaB wall. I would love to see some of the more desirable items like that or the curved slopes show up by me!

Stopped at the Lego Store in Paramus NJ earlier this month and they had the 1x1 clear cheese slopes. Was suprised to see them along with white 4x6 plates. Not that far of a trip from Beacon. Gonna stop up there at the end of the month when I bring my daughter back. They have a nice selection there. Gonna have to stop in there from time to time on my trips up. Girlfriend already laughs with the stop at Palisades Mall in NY and the one by me in Delaware. ;)

[Zeya]

Wow, those grab bags have awesome parts! Looks like they do a decent job of giving you a mix of stuff, although I think the official word is "there could be anything in here so don't get your hopes up".

[peanut]

yeah they go so fast at the store - that was the first time I ever saw them so I had to induldge :) The bulk of the bags contents were regular bricks.

[Sinfanti]

I don't think anyone has posted it yet on this thread dedicated to the greatness of Lego's brand stores, but there is an online resource for tracking what's in the PaB walls over on BrickBuildr. Here is the link:

http://www.brickbuildr.com/view/pab/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Its accuracy relies on fan participation, so please do your part if you can. Thanks.

[Luciant]

Thanks you lazy b******* in Birmingham! (My closest store... 3 1/2 hrs away).

[vynsane]

Stopped at the Lego Store in Paramus NJ earlier this month and they had the 1x1 clear cheese slopes. [...] Not that far of a trip from Beacon.

If they're at Paramus, I can only assume they'll be at the NYC store sooner or later, which is infinitely easier for me to get to. I'll have to take a gander the next time I'm in the city.